Vertical non-volatile memory device and method of fabricating the same

ABSTRACT

A vertical non-volatile memory device is structured/fabricated to include a substrate, groups of memory cell strings each having a plurality of memory transistors distributed vertically so that the memory throughout multiple layers on the substrate, integrated word lines coupled to sets of the memory transistors, respectively, and stacks of word select lines. The memory transistors of each set are those transistors, of one group of the memory cell strings, which are disposed in the same layer above the substrate. The word select lines are respectively connected to the integrated word lines.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2009-0067009, filed on Jul. 22, 2009, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office.

BACKGROUND

The inventive concept relates to non-volatile memory devices and to methods of fabricating the same. More particularly, the inventive concept relates to vertical non-volatile memory devices including vertical strings of transistors and multiple layers of metal wiring, and to methods of fabricating the same.

The semiconductor industry employs a variety of techniques aimed at maximizing the integration of conventional planar non-volatile memory devices. These techniques include designing the structure of a cell transistor so that two or more pieces of data can be stored in a single cell of the device. Despite these techniques, the degree to which the integration of a conventional planar flash memory device can be increased is limited due to the fact that all of the wiring layers are located in a single plane (layer).

Therefore, vertical memory devices are being developed to provide higher degrees of integration. In a vertical memory device, a plurality of cell transistors of a chip are arrayed in a vertical direction

SUMMARY

According to an aspect of the inventive concept, there is provided a vertical non-volatile memory device including a substrate, a plurality of groups of memory cell strings on the substrate wherein each of the memory cell strings has a plurality of memory transistors distributed in a vertical direction substantially perpendicular to the plane of the substrate, integrated word lines coupled to sets of the memory transistors, respectively, and stacks of layer of word select lines on the substrate and wherein the word select lines are connected to the integrated word lines, respectively. A respective array of the memory transistors is disposed on each of several layers above the substrate. The memory transistors of each of the sets, to which a respective integrated word line is coupled, are those memory transistors which constitute a respective one of the groups of the memory cell strings and which are disposed within the same layer above the substrate.

According to another aspect of the inventive concept there is provided a vertical non-volatile memory device including a substrate, memory cell strings disposed in a matrix of n rows by m columns on a first region of the substrate, integrated word lines coupled to sets of the memory transistors, respectively, and word select lines connected to the integrated word lines, respectively. Each of the memory cell strings has a number k of memory transistors distributed in a vertical direction substantially perpendicular to the plane of the substrate. The memory transistors of the memory cell strings are disposed such that a respective array of the memory transistors is disposed on each of k numbers of layers above the substrate. The memory transistors of each of the sets, to which a respective integrated word line is coupled, is disposed in a matrix of the n rows by ‘a’ columns in the first region of the substrate. The word select lines include a plurality of first word select lines disposed on a second region of the substrate, and a plurality of second word select lines disposed on a third region of the substrate. Each of the first word select lines is connected to a respective one of the integrated word lines on the second region of the substrate, and the first word select lines are disposed in a matrix of k columns by j files. Each of the second word select lines is connected to a respective one of the integrated word lines on the third region of the substrate, and the second word select lines are also disposed in a matrix of k columns by j files. With respect to the “rows”, “columns” and “files”, the rows each extend in a direction substantially parallel to the plane of the substrate, the columns each extend in another direction substantially parallel to the plane of the substrate, and the files are the number of layers stacked in the vertical direction substantially perpendicular to the plane of the substrate. Also, the second region of the substrate extends from one side of the first region in a direction parallel to the columns, and the third region of the substrate extends from the other side of the first region in a direction parallel to the columns such that the second and third regions are symmetrical about the first region. Furthermore, n, m, k, and j denote natural numbers equal to or greater than 2, respectively, ‘a’ denotes a natural number, j is smaller than k, and ‘a’ is smaller than each of k and m

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The inventive concept will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments thereof taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic wiring diagram of an embodiment of a vertical non-volatile memory device according to the inventive concept;

FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of the embodiment of a vertical non-volatile memory device illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is schematic plan view of the embodiment of a vertical non-volatile memory device illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a schematic wiring diagram of another embodiment of a vertical non-volatile memory device according to the inventive concept;

FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view of the embodiment of a vertical non-volatile memory device illustrated in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a schematic plan view of one layer of the embodiment of a vertical non-volatile memory device illustrated in FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is schematic plan view of the embodiment of the vertical non-volatile memory device illustrated in FIG. 4;

FIG. 8 is a schematic perspective view of another embodiment of a vertical non-volatile memory device according to the inventive concept;

FIG. 9 is a schematic plan view of one layer of the embodiment of a vertical non-volatile memory device illustrated in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a schematic plan view of the vertical non-volatile memory device the embodiment of the vertical non-volatile memory device illustrated in FIG. 8;

FIGS. 11 and 12 are schematic plan views of a vertical non-volatile memory device according to other embodiments of the inventive concept;

FIG. 13 is a schematic plan view of a vertical non-volatile memory device according to another embodiment of the inventive concept;

FIGS. 14 and 15 are schematic plan views of a vertical non-volatile memory device according to other embodiments of the inventive concept;

FIGS. 16A through 16G are cross-sectional views of intermediate memory device structures, and together illustrate an embodiment of a method of fabricating a vertical non-volatile memory device according to the inventive concept; and

FIGS. 17A through 17D are cross-sectional views of intermediate memory device structures, and together illustrate another embodiment of a method of fabricating a vertical non-volatile memory device according to the inventive concept.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments of the inventive concept will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. Like reference numerals are used to denote like elements throughout. Moreover, the sizes, lengths and shapes of elements, etc. may be exaggerated in the drawings for clarity. Thus, the sizes, lengths and shapes of elements, etc. in actual embodiments of the inventive concept may deviate from those shown in the drawings due, for example, to manufacturing techniques and tolerances. In addition, although all of the elements of every embodiment of a vertical non-volatile memory device disclosed herein may not be shown in any one particular drawing, like elements may be found in drawings illustrating other embodiments and therefore, reference may be made to those drawings to gain a complete understanding of each and every embodiment disclosed herein.

Also, throughout the specification, the description of features being “arrayed” in a particular direction is used to refer to the number of rows, columns or layers (files) in the array of that feature. Thus, for example, when the specification describes that k (e.g., k=4) lines are arrayed in a Z-axis direction, such a description refers to the fact that there are k (four, for example) files of lines in the Z-axis direction.

A first embodiment of a vertical non-volatile memory device according to the inventive concept will now be described with reference to FIGS. 1-3.

Referring first to FIG. 1, the vertical non-volatile memory device 10 includes a substrate 100, a plurality of memory cell strings 140, a plurality of integrated word lines 150, a plurality of bit lines 180, a plurality of first connect contacts 250, and a plurality of word select lines 300.

The memory cell strings 140 are arrayed in a horizontal matrix of n rows by m columns (e.g., 2 rows×4 columns) and each string 140 extends vertically in a direction Z (hereinafter, referred to as the “Z-axis” direction) on the substrate 100. Note, the spatially relative term “vertical” or “vertically” is used herein to refer to a direction that is generally perpendicular to the plane of the substrate 100, whereas the term “horizontal” or “horizontally” is used to refer to a direction that is generally parallel to the plane of the substrate 100.

The memory cell strings 140 may respectively include k (e.g., k=4) memory transistors 110, a drain select transistor 120, and a source select transistor 130. For example, the memory cell strings 140 may include memory transistors 110 having a vertical NAND structure. The memory cell strings 140 disposed along a respective row (hereinafter referred to as the “X-axis” direction) are connected to each other through a respective bit line 180. Also, the memory cell strings 140 in each row may be divided into groups, for example, first and second memory cell string groups GS1 and GS2. Thus, the first and second memory cell string groups GS1 and GS2 are ordered in the X-axis direction.

The integrated word lines 150 are respectively disposed on a number k (e.g., k=4) of layers in which the memory transistors 110 in the memory cell strings 140 are disposed. With respect to the integrated word lines 150, i (e.g., i=2) integrated word lines 150 are arrayed in the X-axis direction in each layer, and k (e.g., k=4) integrated word lines 150 are arrayed in the Z-axis direction. More specifically, a respective integrated word line 150 is coupled to the set 155 of memory transistors 110 which are disposed in the same layer and make up a respective one of the memory cell string groups GS1 or GS2. That is, each of the integrated word lines 150 is coupled to all (the set) of the memory transistors 155 in a particular layer which are part of either the first memory cell string group GS1 or the second memory cell string group GS2. Also, the memory transistors 110 of each set 155 are arrayed a matrix of n rows by a columns (e.g., 2 rows×2 columns). Thus, in this particular example, each integrated word line 150 is coupled to four respective memory transistors 110. Furthermore, the integrated word lines 150 include word lines 200 which each extend between memory transistors 110 in a Y-axis direction (a horizontal direction at an angle, e.g., a right angle, to the X-axis direction), and array lines 230 which each extend between memory transistors 110 in the X-axis direction.

Each word select line 300 is connected to the integrated word line 150 coupled to a respective set 155 of the memory transistors 110. In particular, the word select lines 300 and respective ones of the integrated word lines 150 are connected to each other by the first connect contacts 250, respectively. The first connect contacts 250 may be via plugs, redistribution lines (RDLs), or the like. With further respect to the word select lines 300, k (e.g., k=4) word select lines 300 are arrayed in the X-axis direction, and i (e.g., i=2) word select lines 300 are arrayed in the Z-axis direction.

FIGS. 2 and 3 show this example in which the integrated word lines 150 are arranged in a 2×4 matrix in the X-axis direction and the Z-axis direction on the substrate 100. Although not shown, insulation is disposed between the integrated word lines 150 to prevent the integrated word lines 150 from being electrically conductively connected to each other, i.e., so as to electrically isolate the integrated word lines 150 from one another. In particular, interlayer insulation layers may be disposed on the substrate between the layers, respectively.

As mentioned above, the integrated word lines 150 are connected to the word select lines 300 through the first connect contacts 250. In this respect, the integrated word lines 150 may have the form of a set of stairs (in the Z-axis direction) in order to facilitate their electrical connection to the word select lines 300. In this case, the first connect contacts 250 may be via plugs.

FIGS. 2 and 3 thus show the one-to-one connection between the word select lines 300 and the integrated word lines 150 and the stacking of the word select lines 300 in the Z-axis direction according to an aspect of the inventive concept. As a result, in this example, each of the word select lines 300 is connected to 2 word lines 200 (FIG. 1) to which a program voltage is applied and thus, the number of programs (NOP) is also 2. Therefore, the number of programs (NOP) is less than would be the case if the word select lines 300 having the same pitch were disposed on a single layer. In that case, only four of the word select lines 300 could be arranged in the X-axis direction, each of the word select lines 300 would be connected to four word lines 200, and the NOP would thus be 4. Accordingly, the arrangement of the word select lines 300 according to the inventive concept allows the NOP to be minimized so that a highly reliable vertical non-volatile memory device is obtained.

FIG. 4 illustrates the layout of another embodiment of a vertical non-volatile memory device according to the inventive concept. Referring to FIG. 4, the vertical non-volatile memory device 20 includes a substrate 100, memory cell strings 140, respective word lines 200 a and 200 b, second connect contacts 210 a and 210 b, array lines 230, first connect contacts 250, and word select lines 300. The memory cell strings 140 include an array of memory transistors 156 in each layer. For example, a 4×2 array of the memory transistors is provided in the X-axis and Y-axis directions. The first and second connect contacts 210, 210 b and 250 may be via plugs, RDLs, or the like.

With respect to the word lines 200 a and 200 b, m (e.g., m=4) word lines 200 a and 200 b are arrayed in the X-axis direction, and k (e.g., k=4) word lines 200 a and 200 b are arrayed in the Z-axis direction. Also, the word lines 200 a and 200 b are respectively coupled to n (e.g., n=2) memory transistors 156 arrayed in the Y-axis direction. More specifically, each of the word lines 200 a and 200 b is coupled to the respective memory transistors 156 disposed in the same row within a layer. The word lines 200 a and 200 b are also divided into i (e.g., i=2) groups in the X-axis direction. In this example, therefore, the word lines 200 a and 200 b are divided into first and second word line groups GW1 and GW2 in the X-axis direction.

With respect to the array lines 230, i (e.g., i=2) array lines 230 are arrayed in the X-axis direction, and k (e.g., k=4) array lines 230 are arrayed in the Y-axis direction. The array lines 230 are respectively connected to a number a (e.g., a=2) of the respective word lines 200 a and 200 b arrayed in the X-axis direction within the same layer. The array lines 230 and the respective word lines 200 a and 200 b are connected to each other via the second connect contacts 210 a and 210 b. Also, in this example, each array line 230 is respectively connected to the respective word lines 200 a and 200 b which are in the same respective word line group GW1 or GW2.

With respect to the word select lines 300, k (e.g., k=4) word select lines 300 are arrayed in the X-axis direction, and i (e.g., i=2) word select lines 300 are arrayed in the Z-axis direction. The word select lines 300 are connected to the array lines 230, respectively. The word select lines 300 and the array lines 230 may be connected to each other via the first connect contacts 250.

Reference will now be made to the schematic perspective and plan views of FIGS. 5 through 7.

FIGS. 5 through 7 show how the respective word lines 200 a and 200 b of the vertical non-volatile memory device 20 are arrayed in a 4×4 matrix in the X-axis and Z-axis directions on the substrate 100. Although not shown, insulation is disposed between the respective word lines 200 a and 200 b in order to prevent the respective word lines 200 a and 200 b from being electrically conductively coupled to each other.

Each of the array lines 230 is respectively connected to some of the respective word lines 200 a and 200 b. Also, the respective word lines 200 a and 200 b are stacked in the form of stairs in order to facilitate the electrical connection between the array lines 230 and the word lines 200 a and 200 b. In this case, the second connect contacts 210 a and 210 b may be via plugs.

Another embodiment of a vertical non-volatile memory device according to the inventive concept will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 through 10.

The vertical non-volatile memory device 30 includes a substrate 100, a plurality of memory cell strings (not shown) on the substrate 100, respective word lines 200 a, 200 b, 200 c, and 200 d, second connect contacts 210 a, 210 b, 201 c, and 210 d, array lines 230, first connect contacts 250, and word select lines 300.

The memory cell strings are arrayed in a matrix of n rows by m columns (e.g., m=8) and each memory cell string extends in the Z-axis direction (i.e., has a number of memory transistors arrayed in the Z-axis direction). The memory cell strings may respectively include k (e.g., k=8) memory transistors (not shown), a drain select transistor (not shown), and a source select transistor (not shown). The memory cell strings of each set thereof arrayed in the X-axis direction are connected to each other by a respective bit line (not shown).

With respect to the word lines 200 a, 200 b, 200 c, and 200 d, m (e.g., m=8) respective word lines 200 a, 200 b, 200 c, and 200 d are arrayed in the X-axis direction, and k (e.g., k=8) respective word lines 200 a, 200 b, 200 c, and 200 d are arrayed in the Z-axis direction. The word lines 200 a, 200 b, 200 c, and 200 d are disposed in i (e.g., i=2) groups in each of the k (e.g., k=8) layers. Also, each of the word lines 200 a, 200 b, 200 c, and 200 d is connected to n memory transistors (not shown) arrayed in the Y-axis direction.

With respect to the array lines 230, i (e.g., i=2) array lines 230 are arrayed in the X-axis direction, and k (e.g., k=8) array lines 230 are arrayed in the Y-axis direction. The array lines 230 are respectively coupled to the groups of respective word lines 200 a, 200 b, 200 c, and 200 d, and each array line 230 is respectively connected to those word lines 200 a, 200 b, 200 c, and 200 d arrayed in the group in the X-axis direction. Thus, each of the array lines 230 is connected to a number a (e.g., a=4) of word lines. The array lines 230 and the respective word lines 200 a, 200 b, 200 c, and 200 d are connected to each other by the second connect contacts 210 a, 210 b, 201 c, and 210 d. The second connect contacts 210 a, 210 b, 201 c, and 210 d may be via plugs, RDLs, or the like.

With respect to the word select lines 300, k (e.g., k=8) word select lines 300 are arrayed in the X-axis direction, and i (e.g., i=2) word select lines 300 are arrayed in the Z-axis direction. The word select lines 300 are respectively coupled to the array lines 230. In this respect, the word select lines 300 and the array lines 230 are connected to each other by the first connect contacts 250. The first contacts 250 may be via plugs, RDLs, or the like.

FIGS. 11 and 12 illustrate another embodiment of a vertical non-volatile memory device 40 according to the inventive concept.

The vertical non-volatile memory device 40 includes a substrate 100 having first 41-, second 420 and third 430 regions, memory cell strings 140, word lines 200 a, 200 b, 200 c, and 200 d, second connect contacts 210 a, 210 b, 201 c, and 210 d, a plurality of first array lines 230 a, a plurality of second array lines 230 b, a plurality of first word select lines 300 a, and a plurality of second word select lines 300 b.

The memory cell strings 140 are arrayed in a matrix of n rows by m columns (e.g., m=8) on the first region 410 of the substrate 100, and each of the memory cell strings 140 extends in the Z-axis direction on the substrate 100. The memory cell strings 140 may respectively include k (e.g., k=8) memory transistors (not shown), a drain select transistor (not shown), and a source select transistor (not shown). The memory cell strings 140 of each set thereof distributed in the X-axis direction are connected to each other by a respective bit line (not shown).

With respect to the respective word lines 200 a, 200 b, 200 c, and 200 d, m (e.g., m=8) respective word lines 200 a, 200 b, 200 c, and 200 d are arrayed in the X-axis direction, and k (e.g., k=8) respective word lines 200 a, 200 b, 200 c, and 200 d are arrayed in the Z-axis direction. Each of the word lines 200 a, 200 b, 200 c, and 200 d extends over the first through third regions 410 through 430 of the substrate 100 in the Y-axis direction. Also, each of the word lines 200 a, 200 b, 200 c, and 200 d is coupled to n memory transistors (not shown) distributed in the Y-axis direction within a respective one of the k (e.g., k=8) layers.

With respect to the first array lines 230 a disposed in the second region 420, j (e.g., j=2) first array lines 230 a are arrayed in the X-axis direction, and k (e.g., k=8) first array lines 230 a are arrayed in the Y-axis direction. The first array lines 230 a are respectively coupled to a number a (e.g., a=2) of the respective word lines, namely, word lines 200 a and 200 b, that are adjacent one another in the X-axis direction.

With respect to the second array lines 230 b disposed in the third region 430, j (e.g., j=2) second array lines 230 b are arrayed in the X-axis direction, and k (e.g., k=8) second array lines 230 b are arrayed in the Y-axis direction. The second array lines 230 b are respectively coupled to a number a (e.g., a=2) of the respective word lines, namely, word lines 200 c and 200 d, that are adjacent one another in the X-axis direction but which are offset in the X-axis direction from the word lines 200 a and 200 b connected by the first array lines 230 a on the second region 420 of the substrate 100.

The first and second array lines 230 a and 230 b and the respective word lines 200 a, 200 b, 200 c, and 200 d are connected to each other by the second connect contacts 210 a, 210 b, 210 c, and 210 d. The second contacts 210 a, 210 b, 210 c and 210 d may be via plugs, RDLs, or the like. In this respect, the k (e.g., k=8) word lines 200 a, 200 b, 200 c, or 200 d may have the form of stairs (with steps extending from the first region 410 towards each of the second and third regions 420 and 430) to facilitate their electrical connection with array lines 230 a and 230 b.

With respect to the first word select lines 300 a, k (e.g., k=8) first word select lines 300 a are arrayed in the X-axis direction, and j (e.g., j=2) first word select lines 300 a are arrayed in the Z-axis direction. The first word select lines 300 a are respectively coupled to the first array lines 230 a.

With respect to the second word select lines 300 b, k (e.g., k=8) second word select lines 300 b are arrayed in the X-axis direction, and j (e.g., j=2) second word select lines 300 b are arrayed in the Z-axis direction. The second word select lines 300 b are respectively coupled to the second array lines 230 b.

The first and second word select lines 300 a and 300 b and the first and second array lines 230 a and 230 b are connected to each other by the first connect contacts 250 a and 250 b. The first contacts 250 a and 250 b may be via plugs, RDLs, or the like.

FIG. 13 shows another embodiment of a vertical non-volatile memory device 50 according to the inventive concept. This embodiment is similar to the embodiment of the vertical non-volatile memory device 40 shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 except that a plurality of integrated word lines 150 replace the word lines 200 a, 200 b, 200 c and 200 d, the second connect contacts 210 a, 210 b, 210 c and 210 d, and the first and second array lines 230 a and 230 b. Thus, the descriptions of features/aspects of the vertical non-volatile memory device 50 which are similar to those of the vertical non-volatile memory device 40 will not be repeated here.

With respect to the integrated word lines 150, 2*j (e.g., 2*j=4) integrated word lines 150 are arrayed in the X-axis direction, and k (e.g., k=8) integrated word lines 150 are arrayed in the Z-axis direction. The integrated word lines 150 each extend on the first through third regions 410 through 430 of the substrate 100 in the Y-axis direction. Also, the integrated word lines 150 are respectively disposed on a number k (e.g., k=8) of layers in which memory cells (not shown) of the memory cell strings 140 are disposed. Each of the integrated word lines 150 is respectively coupled to a set of memory transistors (not shown) arrayed in a matrix of n rows by a columns (e.g., a=2) in the same layer on the substrate 100. Although not shown, interlayer insulation is disposed between the integrated word lines 150 in order to prevent the integrated word lines 150 from being electrically conductively connected to each other.

With respect to the first word select lines 300 a disposed in the second region 420, k (e.g., k=8) first word select lines 300 a are arrayed in the X-axis direction and j (e.g., j=2) first word select lines 300 a are arrayed in the Z-axis direction. The first word select lines 300 a are coupled to respective ones of the integrated word lines 150 over the second region 420 of the substrate.

With respect to the second word select lines 300 b disposed in the third region 430, k (e.g., k=8) second word select lines 300 b are arrayed in the X-axis direction and j (e.g., j=2) second word select lines 300 b are arrayed in the Z-axis direction. The second word select lines 300 b are coupled to respective ones of the integrated word lines 150 over the third region 430 of the substrate 100.

The first and second word select lines 300 a and 300 b are connected to the respective ones of the integrated word lines 150 by first connect contacts 250 a and 250 b. In this respect, the k (e.g., k=8) integrated word lines 150, of each set thereof distributed in the Z-axis direction, may be configured as stairs (with steps extending from the first region 410 towards each of the second and third regions 420 and 430) to facilitate their electrical connection to the first and second word select lines 300 a and 300 b. In this case, the first connect contacts 250 a and 250 b may be via plugs.

FIGS. 14 and 15 illustrate another embodiment of a vertical non-volatile memory device according to of the inventive concept. The vertical non-volatile memory device 60 is similar to the embodiment of the vertical non-volatile memory device 40 described with reference to FIGS. 11 and 12 except with respect to the pattern of connections between the array lines and the word lines, and between the word select lines and the array lines. Thus, the descriptions of the other features/aspects of the vertical non-volatile memory device 60 which are the same as those of the vertical non-volatile memory device 40 will not be repeated here.

Referring to FIGS. 14 and 15, each of the first array lines 230 a disposed on the second region 420 is connected to a respective pair of the word lines that are nonadjacent in the X-axis direction, namely the word lines 200 a and 200 c. Likewise, each of the second array lines 230 b disposed on the third region 430 is connected to a respective pair of the word lines that are nonadjacent in the X-axis direction, namely word lines 200 b and 200 d.

The first array lines 230 a and the second array lines 230 b and the respective word lines 200 a and 200 c or 200 b and 200 d are connected to each other via the second connect contacts 210 a and 210 c or 210 b and 210 d. The second connect contacts 210 a and 210 c or 210 b and 210 d may be via plugs, RDLs, or the like.

FIGS. 16A through 16G illustrate a method of fabricating a vertical non-volatile memory device according to the inventive concept.

Referring to FIG. 16A, respective word lines 200 and interlayer insulation layers 205 are alternately formed one atop the other in the Z-axis direction on a substrate (not shown). The respective word lines 200 may be shorter and shorter so as to collectively have the form of stairs, and the interlayer insulation layers 205 are integrated so as to form a block of (electrical) interlayer insulation.

Referring to FIG. 16B, the interlayer insulation is patterned to form openings therein communicating with the word lines 200, respectively. The openings are filled to form second connect contacts 210 connected to the respective word lines 200, respectively. The forming of openings in a layer and the filling of the openings with conductive material is carried out by a “patterning” process that is well known, per se, in the art. For example, such a patterning process entails etching (the etching of a layer to form an opening), deposition (the deposition of material to fill the opening), and planarization (the planarizing of the resulting structure) processes.

Referring to FIG. 16C, lower layer array lines 231 and first temporal connect contacts 229 are formed on upper portions of the second connect contacts 210, respectively, by a patterning process. As a result, lower layers 2 of the word lines 200 are connected to the lower layer array lines 231 through one set of the second connect contacts 210. Upper layers 1 of the word lines 200 are connected to the first temporal connect contacts 229 through another set of the second connect contacts 210.

Referring to FIG. 16D, lower layer first connect contacts 251 are formed on the upper portions of the lower layer array lines 231 by a patterning process, and upper layer array lines 232 are formed on the upper portions of the first temporal connect contacts 229.

Referring to FIG. 16E, an additional interlayer insulation layer 205 is formed on the existing structure, and lower layer word select lines 301 are formed on the upper portions of the lower layer first connect contacts 251 by a patterning process. Note, the upper right hand portion of this figure is exaggerated slightly to show perspective and thereby illustrate the lower word select lines 301 which are formed substantially in the same interlayer insulation layer 205.

Referring to FIG. 16F, an additional interlayer insulation layer 205 is formed on the existing structure, and upper layer first connect contacts 252 are formed on upper portions of the upper layer array lines 232 by a patterning process.

Referring to FIG. 16G, an additional interlayer insulation layer 205 is formed on the existing structure, and upper layer word select lines 302 are formed on upper portions of the upper layer first connect contacts 252 by a patterning process.

FIGS. 17A through 17D illustrate another embodiment of a method of fabricating a vertical non-volatile memory device according to the inventive concept. The method is similar to that described with reference to FIGS. 16A through 16G and thus, only the major differences between the methods will be described.

Referring to FIG. 17A, the method begins similarly to that shown in and described with reference to FIGS. 16A through 16C. Then, an additional interlayer insulation layer 205 is formed on the existing structure. Next, lower layer first connect contacts 251 are formed on upper portions of the lower layer array lines 231, and second temporal connect contacts 228 are formed on upper portions of the first temporal connect contacts 229, by a patterning process.

Referring to FIG. 17B, an additional interlayer insulation layer 205 is formed on the existing structure. Then, lower layer word select lines 301 are formed on upper portions of the lower layer first connect contacts 251, and upper layer array lines 232 are formed on the upper portions of the second temporal connect contacts 228, by a patterning process.

Referring to FIG. 17C, an additional interlayer insulation layer 205 is formed on the existing structure, and then upper layer first connect contacts 252 are formed on upper potions of the upper layer array lines 232 by a patterning process.

Referring to FIG. 17D, an additional interlayer insulation layer 205 is formed on the existing structure, and then upper layer word select lines 302 are formed on upper portions of the upper layer first connect contacts 252 by a patterning process.

In this embodiment, the upper layer array lines 232 are formed on the first and second temporal connect contacts 229 and 228. The first and second temporal connect contacts 229 and 228 provide more space between the upper layers 1 of the word lines 200 and the upper layer array lines 232. Accordingly, the upper layers 1 of the word lines 200 are prevented from being over-etched when the upper layer array lines 232 are formed (i.e., when the etching process used to form the upper layer array lines is carried out).

As described above, according to an aspect of the inventive concept there is provided a highly integrated vertical memory device which keeps the NOP to a minimum. Thus, a highly reliable vertical non-volatile memory device may be realized.

Finally, embodiments of the inventive concept have been described herein in detail. The inventive concept may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments described above. Rather, these embodiments were described so that this disclosure is thorough and complete, and fully conveys the inventive concept to those skilled in the art. Thus, the true spirit and scope of the inventive concept is not limited by the embodiments described above but by the following claims. 

1. A vertical non-volatile memory device comprising: a substrate; a plurality of groups of memory cell strings on the substrate, each of the memory cell strings comprising a plurality of memory transistors distributed in a vertical direction, substantially perpendicular to the plane of the substrate, such that each of the memory cell strings extends vertically on the substrate, and a respective array of the memory transistors being disposed on each of several layers above the substrate; integrated word lines coupled to sets of the memory transistors, respectively, the memory transistors of each of said sets being those memory transistors which constitute a respective one of the groups of the memory cell strings and which are disposed within the same layer above the substrate; and a stack of layers of word select lines on the substrate, the word select lines being connected to the integrated word lines, respectively.
 2. The vertical non-volatile memory device of claim 1, wherein the memory transistors of each set are disposed in a matrix of rows and columns, the rows each extending in a direction substantially parallel to the plane of the substrate, the columns each extending in another direction substantially parallel to the plane of the substrate, wherein the integrated word lines each comprise respective word lines and a respective array line, each of the respective word lines of an integrated word line being coupled to the memory transistors which are located in the same column within the set, and the respective array line being connected to the respective word lines, and wherein the word select lines are respectively connected to the array lines, whereby each of the word select lines is connected to the word lines constituting a respective one of the integrated word lines.
 3. The vertical non-volatile memory device of claim 1, wherein the memory cell strings are disposed on the substrate in a matrix of n rows and m columns, and the number of groups of the memory cell strings is i, wherein each of the memory cell strings has k memory transistors distributed in the vertical direction, wherein each of the integrated word lines is coupled to a respective set of memory transistors which are located in the same layer and constitute one of the groups of the memory cell strings, wherein the word select lines are disposed in a matrix of k columns by i files, wherein the rows each extend in a direction substantially parallel to the plane of the substrate, the columns each extend in another direction substantially parallel to the plane of the substrate, and the files are the number of layers stacked in the vertical direction substantially perpendicular to the plane of the substrate, and wherein n, m, k, and i are integers equal to or greater than 2, and i is smaller than each of k and m.
 4. The vertical non-volatile memory device of claim 2, wherein the memory cell strings are disposed on the substrate in a matrix of n rows and m columns, and the number of groups of the memory cell strings is i, wherein each of the memory cell strings has k memory transistors distributed in the vertical direction, wherein the word select lines are disposed in a matrix of k columns by i files, the files being the number of layers stacked in the vertical direction substantially perpendicular to the plane of the substrate, wherein each of the word select lines is connected a respective set of ‘a’ of the respective word lines, and wherein n, m, k, and i are integers equal to or greater than 2, ‘a’ is a natural number, i is smaller than k, and ‘a’ is smaller than each of k and m.
 5. The vertical non-volatile memory device of claim 4, wherein ‘a’ is a natural number equal to m/i.
 6. The vertical non-volatile memory device of claim 1, wherein the integrated word lines which are coupled to the sets of memory transistors of each group of memory cell strings have the form of a set of stairs on the substrate.
 7. The vertical non-volatile memory device of claim 6, further comprising first connect contacts extending in the vertical direction and respectively connecting the word select lines and integrated word lines.
 8. The vertical non-volatile memory device of claim 2, wherein the word lines which are coupled to the sets of memory transistors of each group of memory cell strings include respective sets of word lines, each of the sets of word lines having the form of a set of stairs on the substrate.
 9. The vertical non-volatile memory device of claim 3, further comprising first connect contacts extending in the vertical direction and respectively connecting the word select lines and the array lines, and second connect contacts extending in the vertical direction and connecting each of the array lines to the word lines of a respective one of said set of word lines.
 10. A vertical non-volatile memory device comprising: a substrate; memory cell strings disposed in a matrix of n rows by m columns on a first region of the substrate, each of the memory cell strings comprising a number k of memory transistors distributed in a vertical direction, substantially perpendicular to the plane of the substrate, such that each of the memory cell strings extends vertically on the substrate, and the memory transistors of the memory cell strings being disposed such that a respective array of the memory transistors is disposed on each of k numbers of layers above the substrate; integrated word lines coupled to sets of the memory transistors, respectively, the memory transistors of each of said sets being disposed in a matrix of the n rows by ‘a’ columns in the first region of the substrate; and word select lines connected to the integrated word lines, respectively, the word select lines including a plurality of first word select lines disposed on a second region of the substrate, and a plurality of second word select lines disposed on a third region of the substrate, each of the first word select lines being connected to a respective one of the integrated word lines on the second region of the substrate, the first word select lines being disposed in a matrix of k columns by j files, each of the second word select lines being connected to a respective one of the integrated word lines on the third region of the substrate, the second word select lines also being disposed in a matrix of k columns by j files; and wherein the rows each extend in a direction substantially parallel to the plane of the substrate, the columns each extend in another direction substantially parallel to the plane of the substrate, and the files are the number of layers stacked in the vertical direction substantially perpendicular to the plane of the substrate, wherein the second region of the substrate extends from one side of the first region in a direction parallel to the columns, and the third region of the substrate extends from the other side of the first region in a direction parallel to the columns such that the second and third regions are symmetrical about the first region, and wherein n, m, k, and j denote natural numbers equal to or greater than 2, respectively, ‘a’ denotes a natural number, j is smaller than k, and ‘a’ is smaller than each of k and m.
 11. The vertical non-volatile memory device of claim 10, wherein the integrated word lines comprise: an array of m columns by k files of respective word lines, each of said respective word lines being coupled to the memory transistors of a respective one of said m columns, whereby each of the respective word lines is coupled to n respective memory transistors; a plurality of first array lines disposed in a matrix of j columns by k rows on the second region of the substrate, and each of the first array lines being respectively connected to one of the respective word lines of each of ‘a’ columns of the respective word lines, whereby each of the first array lines is connected to ‘a’ respective ones of the respective word lines; and a plurality of second array lines disposed in a matrix j columns by k rows on the third region of the substrate, and each of the second array lines being connected to one of the respective word lines of each of ‘a’ columns of the respective word lines, whereby each of the second array lines is connected to ‘a’ respective ones of the respective word lines; and wherein the first word select lines are respectively coupled to the first array lines, and wherein the second word select lines are respectively coupled to the second array lines.
 12. The vertical non-volatile memory device of claim 11, wherein each of the m columns of respective word lines has the form of a set of stairs on the substrate.
 13. The vertical non-volatile memory device of claim 10, wherein the integrated word lines are disposed in a matrix of 2*j columns by k files.
 14. The vertical non-volatile memory device of claim 13, wherein each of the columns of the integrated word lines has the form of a set of stairs on the substrate.
 15. The vertical non-volatile memory device of claim 10, wherein ‘a’ is equal to 0.5*m/j. 